Police increase patrols around Wilson High School

Police are providing additional patrols in the area around Wilson High School after a student reported an incident similar to the one that led to the officer-involved shooting that killed a kidnapping and robbery suspect there.

According to police, at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, Central Precinct officers responded to a report of a white male associated with a white or light green van approaching a student walking to Wilson High School.

The day before, Officer John Romero shot and killed Kelly Vern Swoboda, who had been reported as a suspicious driver near the school. Romero suffered a non-life threatening wound. Swododa was accused of kidnapping and assaulting a woman in Milwaukie and robbing several area banks.

"The Portland Police Bureau would like to remind community members that stranger-to-stranger sexual assaults are fortunately a rare occurrence and the Bureau makes every attempt to share this information as soon as practicable. This is also a good reminder to parents about talking to kids about not approaching any unknown vehicle for any reason (e.g.: someone asking for directions or talking about looking for a lost pet), as well as other safety precautions," the bureau said in a prepared statement.

The bureau also said that it works with the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Oregon (SARC) and we want you to know that you need not be alone as a survivor of a sexual assault. SARC has a 24-hour support line at (503) 640-5311.

Additionally, the bureau's WomenStrength and GirlStrength programs provide free self-defense classes and personal safety workshops to people around the Portland area. To learn more information about WomenStrength and GirlStrength, call (503) 823-0260 or visit http://www.portlandonline.com/police/womenstrength.